The Natural State

John Wheeler is one of the clearest writers at describing the true nature of what we are. From his website:

This is about knowing yourself, not analyzing appearances. Body, mind, feelings and experiences come and go. They are all appearances, but they are not your abiding being. If all those things come and go, what is it that always remains in spite of those changing appearances? There is the sense of being, which is both present and aware. Do not just verbalize this, but recognize it as fact, as direct experience and knowing. Your own being is the one constant.

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When appearances are negated, what remains? Did you disappear? Aren't you present and aware? That presence-awareness is your real abiding nature. You cannot negate that. It is the abiding essence. You do not have to try to identify as that. That would be conceptual. You are naturally and effortlessly that. You cannot deny your being and its aware nature. There is no subsequent process. To try to "go forward" from there would only be going back into thought. Just pause in that gap and notice that you are already what you are seeking.

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All appears in the space of knowing presence. In the end, it is that simple. That is you. There is no "you" apart from that. There is nothing to do, ultimately, because that is what you are.

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Once the interest in the beliefs and identities drops away due to not taking them as real, a lot more space and openness is present. To the mind used to its old stories and opinions, this perspective may appear bland or empty. Just settle in with that seeming "no thing", which is your real nature. In truth, it is clear, bright, vibrant and full of life.